| STATS | DAY | MILES | CLIMBING | CALORIES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAY | 17 | 96.65 | 2454 | 5433 |
| TOTALS | 915.73 | 39,744 | 51,727 |
- You can view previous days blogs by selecting the one you want from the ARCHIVE list on the right side of the page down a bit.
- You can post a comment to the Blog itself, but not everyone will see it. I set up the Facebook Group to allow all to post comments and share in the fun.
- You can see a bigger version of a picture by clicking on it.
Today was our first century day. After several days of rain, overcast, and wind, we were delighted when we woke to sunny blue skys.
We got on the road a little after 9. Today was Joe’s first century.
The ride was pretty uneventful. After leaving the bustling city of Whitehorse, and the city limits 12 miles later, we quickly found ourselves back out in the wilderness. The destination today is Haines Junction. This is where the road from Haines Alaska meets the AlCan. We began with a slight tail wind and were motoring on fine until we came to a road construction sign. Oh boy, we get to meet another flagger. We come over a hill and find Tom waiting just before the construction started. He said “They are grading and just sprayed water. The road will be rocks and mud. Let’s load up the bikes and I’ll take you past it”.
Most bike unfriendly
We looked at each other and immediately decided that this was the right thing to do. Tom has a knack for being right there when you need him. So we loaded the bikes in the trailer, and portaged across the devestation.
Back on the road again, the vistas were incredible. Off in the distance we can see the St. Elias range is poking above the horizon.
Be sure to click and expand this one and explore
The kilometers on dropping like mosquitos under a bug zapper
A little later we run in it Kjborn, a guy from Holland out for short 18 month trip from Anchorage (ding ding) to Argentina.
Hear me now and understand me later. You are girly men with your no gear and hand holding. I am a real cyclist.
As we get closer, I decided to shoot a short video to give you a feel for the awesome view we had all day.
Insert video,
At about 20 miles to go, I broke my second spoke and the wheel was rubbing. Just then, Tom approaches (how did he know?), out goes the arm, thumbs down, and he stops. 1 minute later I am lacing a new spoke and truing the wheel. 5 minute stop tops! I am getting good at this.
Finally we get to Haines Junction
No Petticoat Train in this town (but they do have a Frosty Freeze)
We are now in the Kluane (clue-ah-nee) region. Very beautiful.
So this would be a good time to tell you a little about our traveling Companion Joe.
Joe likes his just desserts, or should that be Joe just likes dessert?
Joe is a retired Pharmacist from Olds Alberta. He has 5 kids and a whole gaggle of grand kids. Several of his family have been following the blog (hi folks). Joe is one of the nicest folks I have ever come across. When we sit down to order a meal in a restaurant he will read the menu “Let see, it says 2 egg’s, sausage, potatoes or choice of juice or fruit. Ok I’ll have 3 eggs, sausage, potatoes, juice AND fruit, and bring me a glass of milk and a Danish.” This man can eat.
Joe is also tall. He rides a 60cm bike frame and check out his seat post.
Joe had to special order the seat post.
I need a step ladder to be able to see the top of his seat. He claims to be 6'2", however, he is real bad at the whole kilometer/mile conversion thing, so I would put him somewhere in the Michael Jordan range. (and the man can climb a hill on a bike!)
Joe is also punctual. We he says he will be in the lobby at 7:30, he is there (I bet he never miscounted the number of pills in a prescription). On the excursion to ride the train, Joe watched his watch to insure that he boarded the bus with less than 20 seconds to departure time. A the first stop, the driver was frantic that one guy was missing. Then again in Skagway, everyone was on the bus, the driver was ready to go, and Joe was nowhere to be found. The driver said “I am going to have him paged in the station, if he is not here by the time I return, he stays in Skagway. She goes into the station and here we see Joe wandering down the street looking at this watch and ducking into stores. Finally he came to the bus and everyone on board applauded when he stepped on board. The driver came back and closed up the bus and said “Did he come back?” We said ya, she walked back and said “What nationality are you?” (She asked everyone that for the border crossing). Joe said Canandian, and she said “I kinda figured”. Everyone laughed. When she let out at the final stop at Carcross, she said for everyone to be back on the bus by 10 after, except for Joe, who was to be on the bus by 5 after. I watched and he was the first one on!
The reason why it has taken so long to talk about Joe in detail is the man, although a character, is squeaky clean and I haven’t been able to get anything on him other than the above story. I will keep a keen eye on him.
Mike and I have really enjoyed Joe’s company. He is quite a character, a damn nice guy, and has taught as lot about Canadian life. I hope to enjoy a long friendship with him.
Not quite a hundred miles today, but a honest ride in some absolutely incredible scenery. Tomorrow we have an easy 50 miler.
Tail of the tape
That's a pretty good description of dad! Good-luck trying to find much more dirt on him though... there is a reason he won citizen of the year a few years ago in Olds! I'm not sure he has any faults at all. Perhaps his biggest fault is not coming out to the mountains to cross-country ski enough.
ReplyDeleteThanx for all the great updates. Its always entertaining reading your previous days adventure with my morning coffee.